Wednesday, December 10, 2008

12 Days of Christmas ...

Did you know that there was more meaning behind this song than just the silly words? I learned something new yesterday and I thought I would share ...

I found the following explanation HERE and of course there is a disclaimer that says there is a controversy disputing the authenticity of this interpretation - but I like this one so I am sharing ...

Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829 were prohibited by law to practice their faith either in public or private. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written as a "catechism song" to help young Catholics learn the basics of their faith.

"True love" refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person.

The partridge in a pear tree is Christ Jesus upon the Cross.The two turtle doves refers to the Old and New Testaments.The three French hens stand for faith, hope and love—the three gifts of the Spirit that abide (1 Corinthians 13).The four calling birds refers to the four gospels in the Bible — Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.The five golden rings represents the first five books of the Bible, also called the Jewish Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.The six geese a-laying is the six days of creation.The seven swans a-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.The eight maids a milking reminded children of the eight beatitudes listed in the Sermon on the Mount.The nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.The ten lords a-leaping represents the Ten CommandmentsThe eleven pipers piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles.The twelve drummers drumming were the twelve points of belief expressed in the Apostles’ Creed: belief in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, that Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, made man, crucified, died and arose on the third day, that he sits at the right hand of the father and will come again, the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting.